Our Happy Ending

Saturday evening our neighbors came over to chat with us. She brought her dad over with her and they proceed to give us a spiel about a dog they have.

Back in April we lost our Bailee dog. I haven't talked about it because it's still a pretty sore subject. The short of it is that we had that dumb Beagle for 8 and a half years, she drove us nuts but I've never loved an animal the way I loved that stupid dog. Even though he bought her for me, Bailee was Josh's dog. Losing her has been really hard on us both, but I think Josh has taken it the hardest.

Our neighbor kids were the ones to inform us of Bailee's untimely death. She was hit by a car. No surprise, really. The girl loved to run. The kids came to the door to let me know. I called Josh, letting him know he needed to come home, that Bailee'd been hit.

I strapped Jaylee into her chair in the kitchen, then all 8 months pregnant of me ran down the driveway to get Bailee. All six neighbor kids lined the driveway as we brought her back up. They all left as we got back to our pasture.

Josh and I just sat there with her. It was one of the worst things, ever. My husband has buried a lot of animals on our property but digging that hole for Bailee was the hardest thing he's ever done.

It's been a quiet household. Sometimes I've felt guilty for enjoying the peace and quiet. But we've all missed having a dog around. Just the other day I asked the Lord to send the perfect dog along for us.

Bringing us back to the neighbors showing up....

So, the old man is telling us about this dog. He's a hurricane victim from North Carolina. He's older. Never leaves the yard. Loves children. But hates the wind, rain and fireworks.

Josh and I just kinda look at each other.

"We'll meet him." I tell him.

"Well good, he's out in the rig!" And he's out the door to go get him.

Walking toward us is an older, arthritic Golden Retriever. He comes up to us, loves on us and then plops himself down in our yard.

He acts as if he's lived here his entire life.

He's slept at the foot of our bed the last two nights. He loves Jaylee; let's her lay on him and put blankies on him. He was outside all day and into the evening-up until the wind started to blow! Then he hobbled his old man self up the steps of the deck to our sliding glass doors.

It's only been 2 days but we're in love with him and he's such a blessing to us.

We just might be moving to a new location and something else off the subject too, you know because I always have a subject...

Yep, we're moving.

No, not my family.

You.

And me.

For some reason my blog is broken. I don't know how to fix her.

And I'm not real sure I wanna.

I'm thinking of a new blog address.

A new blog name.

I need something new.

You'll be the first to know when we move.

I promise.

Anywho.

Today I had a few extra minutes before a doctor's appt. so I dropped in on my friend Mary.

I haven't seen Mary in a few months. Seeing her and spending just 30 minutes with her was refreshing. I don't know how to explain it but I'll try.

I walk up to the door of their beautiful home. The door is open. She doesn't know I'm there. So, I take a few minutes and just watch.

There's a busyness to the home. Three little boys playing and being boys. Her four year old daughter sitting on the counter as her mommy shows her how to bake. They are measuring and pouring and Mary is so patient with her.

It's a home filled with love and laughter and happiness. I could have just stood there forever watching the peaceful home she's created.

I finally made my presence known and she welcomed me with a hug. She was happy to see me and my girls. While I was there, she wanted to know how life was going, wanted to know about me. But all the while was a good mommy to her children and a great caretaker of the little boy she was babysitting. She finished baking with her daughter, asked if we'd eaten and then we went outside so the kids could play.

She always makes me feel good about myself. She laughs at all my dumb jokes. She told me I look good for just having had a baby. I like this girl, I tell you!

I was sad I only had a short time to spend with her but after I left it was nice to think about if I had company just stop by, unannounced. Would I be so gracious? Would I have a smile on my face? Could I provide a meal spur of the moment? Would there be a peacefulness about my home?

I'd like to say yes. But I know there are areas I really need to work on.

So, Miss Mary, my friend...thank you for the few minutes we shared today. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Such a good lil mama

No, not me.

Jaylee.

I was told by several people she would do this but until today, she never had.

She comes up to me with her baby doll and asks me to feed her. I tell her that it's her baby, she needs to feed her. (Lord knows I'm lifting my shirt enough to feed Alison without having to feed Jaylee's doll!)

So...she proceeds to lift her shirt and nurse her baby.

Too funny.

Think I'll make sure she doesn't take her baby out in public, she may get in trouble for indecent exposure.

Where does the time go?

How is it possible she's already THREE?!

I think with all the adults and children we had 28 people here for her BBQ. It was so much fun. Of course until it was time to open presents, she was oblivious to the fact that everyone was there for her.

Here are some pictures from the party:

CARS theme party, she loves Mater.
Josh and his dad working their BBQ skillz
My aunt getting ready to swing from the rope, with a little encouragement from my mother. And her smooth landing... Look at all those presents!
She loves her "bicycle hat" lots!


A few of the guests hanging out on our deck.



Not sure who was more excited for her bike, her or her daddy.
Birthday girl with chocolate all over her face.


The bicycle was such a blessing to us. Amber's youngest daughter grew out of it and they gave us the bike to give to Jaylee. It fits her perfectly! She hasn't quite grasped the fact that she's supposed to push the pedals, she thinks we're supposed to push her. Her "bicycle hat" and knee pads are worn around the house for funsies. She received a bunch of art supplies, a lot of clothes, books, puzzles, My Little Pony, a Barbie and Barbie car and a piano (thank you, Mother.)

The piano had to go to church with us the next morning. I'm still humming the songs.

It was a great day! I'm still floored that she's three. Everyone says time goes so fast with children, I'm learning that isn't just a statement, it's so very true.

Must see video

After lurking on Amy Beth's blog she had a link to an amazing video.

I'll never look at cardboard the same again.

Check it out.

They say it's your birthday...in 4 months!

Remember how I said I love my birthday?

I really do.

I learned it from my mother. She always made such a big deal out of our birthdays while we were growing up. See, it wasn't all dysfuntion....

I love my birthday so much that last January 3rd I called my mom and asked her if she knew what was five months from that date.

Without hesitation, the lady knew! It was going to be my birthday!

Yesterday we're talking on MSN messenger and she asks if I know what four months from tomorrow (today) would be.

And of course I knew.

So, Mother, Happy Birthday....in Four Months!

Love,
The Favorite

All out

of things to write about.

That's a bugger.

Anything you want me to write about?

Don't be Jealous

Since I am once again a nursing mama, my bra size is the fifth letter of the alphabet.

Seriously.

Josh has informed me I need to stand up straight. I think because if I don't, they hang down to my bellybutton and for some reason he's not finding that attractive. Go figure.

Today I decided to practice standing up straight. Basically I feel like I'm trying to show off huge knockers that sag down to my toes. Luckily my shirt covers 'em or everyone would see all the stretch marks that come with these amazingly large boulders I carry in my over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders.

So, I'm struttin' my stuff at the grocery store. "Yep, they're mine" I want to proclaim to the 83 year old lady whose boulders are more like pebbles, but still hang like mine. I nod to the 13 year old girl and I'm thinkin, "some day, honey, some day."

I'm getting a few stares.

Quite a few stares.

Wow, this standing up straight thing is a little embarrassing.

As I'm about to leave the grocery store I look down.

Guess who ran out of nursing pads and is using wash cloths in place of pads? Guess who has wash cloths filling her bra?

The same girl who forgot she was using wash cloths in place of nursing pads. The same girl who has the most amazing spit up all over her shirt.

Yep, such is my life.

Not so bare bones afterall

I've been panicking a bit.

I haven't gone grocery shopping in a few weeks and payday isn't until Friday. I have three dinners that I have to make up until Josh gets paid. And I'm thinking that since it's been so long since I've shopped, that must mean I have no food.

So I decided to start my menu plan and grocery list. But before I did that I thought it might be smart to go through my freezer, cupboard and fridge to take inventory of what I already have.

Holy smokes!

Here's what was in my freezer:
3 roasts
2 pieces of b/s chicken breasts
pork loin
beef ribs
2 loaves of bread
spinach
broccoli
corn
blueberries
grapes
strawberries
1 lb. of butter

Here's what was in my cupboard:
refried beans
green beans
carrots
diced tomatoes
cream of chicken soup
beef broth
olives
kidney beans
mushrooms
cream of asparagus soup
cream of potato soup
spaghetti sauce

In my pantry:
rice (brown and white)
spaghetti noodles
lasagna noodles
manicotti noodles
dry beans

In my fridge:
A few science experiments, we don't need to talk about those.

So, I'm pretty stoked! I have quite a bit of stuff!

Pretty much thinking my grocery list will be for dairy products on Friday and stuff for the BBQ on Saturday for Jaylee's birthday party.

Honestly a little bummed that I don't need more groceries. Grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do. However, I'm excited to come up with a menu with ingredients I already have.

The one where I don't have a point...kinda like all of my posts.

This weekend I got to hangout with Josh's cousin Keely for a coupla hours. She has a little dog, Rico. He's part Pug, part Chuh-wa-wa. (I know that's not how you spell it but it's way easier than looking up the correct way.) He's so cute and well behaved.

Note to Keely: That's the best kind of kid to have.

She's telling me about how she groomed him recently. And I was thinking back to the last time I groomed an animal. It wasn't a dog.

It was my mom's cat.

His name was Sam. Sam-Daisy. He wasn't long-haired but he wasn't a short hair either. He just had lots of hair. Lots. And he kinda looked like a lion.

One day while my mom was gone, Josh and I went over to her house and proceeded to shave Sam-Daisy's tail. We shaved all but the tip, making him look even more lion-like. We really thought about shaving all of him except for the tip of his tail and his head but changed our minds. 'Cause we're thoughtful like that...

So, we clean up our mess and I save Sam's hair.

Then I send it to my mother.

No note. No return address.

This is back in '01 or '02. The time Anthrax was such a big deal and everyone was skerd of everything.

My sisters tell me that my mom was just sure that someone sent her Anthrax with the cat hair.

I wish I'd thought to do that...I mean...I love you, Mom.

So yeah, we shaved Sam-Daisy's tail and of course played the part of innocent kids. Not sure how long later that my mom's car was stolen out of her driveway, for some reason, she thought it was us.

It wasn't. Wish I had thought of that...

The car was returned.

A week or so later it was stolen again. And again, she thought it was us.

It wasn't.

And the car wasn't returned this time.

Anyway. The grooming of animals is something I might take up as a second job. I have 5 cats on my deck at the moment that I can practice on, there was a llama wandering around the neighbor's yard this morning that looked in need of a good shave and I'm sure that dog I shot a couple of weeks ago is around somewhere.

Excuse me while I make a sign announcing my new services.

p.s. it's Chihuahua, in case you were wondering.

My Apologies

Sorry for my sour post.

I've had the day to simmer down a bit. The morning we had just wasn't good. I had a very poor attitude from the get-go and I just let it consume me.

There was so much anger inside me. I was just really really peeved. Trying to figure it out I realized that when I'm the most mad, it's usually myself I'm mad at. And that was totally it today.

I was having a major heart issue.

Contentment.

I have a nice house. She's older but she's nice. Or, at least getting that way, with a lot of blood, sweat and tears from my Josh and me. Literally. However, even though we have new sheetrock in most rooms and an updated kitchen and bathroom, we don't have any storage on the main level of our home. We have 3 levels but only one is really user-friendly, we have an unfinished basement and a large room upstairs but it's not insulated, so it's either really cold or really hot up there. So...I have plenty of storage up or down, just not where I'd like it to be.

You can see in my profile that I hate clutter but for some reason it adores me. Clings to me like a lost puppy. I have a hard time throwing away magazines or receipts or anything that I might need someday. I'm really bad at not putting things where they belong right away. I set it somewhere and then I set a few other things with it and sure enough a few somethings have turned into lots of somethings and I have a mess. A cluttery mess.

Arrrggh!!

I have a lot of money invested in scrapbook supplies. But I don't really have a place for my supplies where I can access them easily. This morning in the midst of my bad mood I had decided to throw everything out. (Stop rolling your eyes, Treena) I had decided all or nothing. If I couldn't use it, why have it?

Well...after a few minutes of deep breaths and some silent prayers, I got to work.

My scrapbook stuff will be easily accessible. My linen closet now has linens in it instead of a jumbled mess of scrapbook supplies. I had one wall in my living room painted cocoa and decided it was just too dark, so I whipped out some paint and painted it the same color as the rest of the room. Man, that really helped my mood. I didn't buy anything. I worked with what I had all day and the Lord provided me patience, a good baby, a cooperative toddler and a friend to stop by to talk to.

So, my bad day got much better. Thank you for your prayers.

And I just realized my foot's asleep. Hate that.

Talk to ya tomorrow.

Bad Mood

I'm not having the greatest of days. Anything spewing from my fingertips wouldn't be pretty, so I'm going to end 'er here.

My Cool Car Got a lil Cooler

Really wishing I had a digital camera. Really am.

I drive an '88 Honda Accord.

Don't knock it, she's paid for.

Anywho...

We bought her from some hole in the wall place and the guy told us he hadn't had a chance to clean the car out. No biggie because the car was immaculate. Upon first inspection anyway.

From the looks of her she'd never known children to ride in her. There weren't french fries stuffed between the seats or fishy crackers smashed on the floor. No dog hair all over the place. Yep, she was a mighty clean car.

As we drove off the lot, proudly sporting a car with 188,000 miles on her, I happened to look in the ashtray. Where I was greeted by something other than cigarettes. These were a roll-your-own kinda cigarette of the illegal type.

Thus Amber dubbed her-Mary Jane.

So, I've been driving MJ now for a few months. Haven't ever had a flat tire, so I've not needed to check the spare tire area.

My husband, the good man that he is, decided to check the spare tire before we went to Montana. He's just like that. Always prepared.

Totally digressing.

He comes in and says he knows why the people dumped their car so quickly and proceeds to hand me a cr@ck pipe.

Uh huh. We have the coolest car, ever. Kinda glad we don't live in the same town we bought 'er in because I'm pretty sure we'd be getting jumped for money at any time.

So, she's no longer MJ. She's now our little Cr@ck Pipe. The things my girls are learning these days...

What a Girl Wants

I've been told by quite a few moms that if their last baby had been their first, there would have been no others. I never understood that.

Til now.

It's no secret, Alison's not the easiest baby. And Jaylee really was.

Jaylee started sleeping through the night at 5 weeks. The first time she did it I woke in a panic just sure she'd died in the night. After I realized she was breathing, I thought it was just a fluke and that she'd never do it again. But she did. Forever.

I feel bad comparing my girls. I realize they aren't the same. It's just that when you're REALLY tired you wish your youngest was like your oldest!!! All a girl wants is to sleep.

I used to hear about these "crazy" people who let their children sleep with them. And I couldn't imagine it. Why would anyone want to do that?

Yeah, um, so they could sleep.

I figured it out. I figured out what gets Ali to sleep all night without fussing or crying.

Yup, those "crazy" people are now my friends.

I'm not a fan of this whole "co-sleeping" deal. Not at all. But I really liked sleeping from 11-6 last night. I really did. It wasn't my idea to put her in there. It was the husband's. I obeyed him (because I'm an uh-mazing wife like that.)

Lo and behold that's all the girl wanted. Just to be next to her mama and daddy.

I'm no longer a judger of the co-sleeping deal. I see it in a whole new light now.

Alison had her one month check up today. They go through all these questions with me, making sure that I'm not wanting to shake her (I made sure I said the right answer on that one) then asking if we have fire alarms or guns. No. Yes. But of course I tell them the answers backwards.

She then says, "do you have sharp objects around her?" To which I answered...

"No, we only let her play with scissors on Fridays."

She looks at me over her glasses. Pauses. Then laughs and realizes I'm just joking.

They really have to ask people these questions.

************************************

Tonight we went to my in-laws to do some work. Jaylee announces she needs to use the restroom. Since I was the busy one at the moment, Josh took her to the bathroom. I'm sweeping the entryway when Josh and Jaylee come out. He's laughing pretty hard and she says, "Mama, I saw the skidmark." To which I answered...

I had no answer. What do you say to that?! Husband says, "well, she asked what they were."

He's on a roll these days with his words of wisdom.

A great weekend, a little pity party, and some wise words from the husband.

We had such a great weekend with my sister and her family. The trip out there was excellent. Jaylee is such a great traveler, we knew she'd be no problem. Alison on the other hand was going to be our wild card. But she did great! She only cried once for a couple of minutes and then was back to sleep.

We got there pretty late but visited for a bit before heading off to bed. Short lived because Jaylee decided to throw up. EW. I think I gave her too much fruit on the way. We get it cleaned up, get back in bad and then she vomits again-in my hair! EW!!! Poor her. Poor me.

The next morning I get to see my two nephews and my niece and they are just too cute. Man how I wished I had a digital camera (that worked) so I could show you these children! My sister has a 2 year old, 2 year old and 9 month old. Yep, you read correctly two, 2 year olds. And no, they aren't twins. Silly sister! :) It was great having five kids three and under. I was really amazed at how well they got along. Jaylee wasn't the biggest fan of them for a bit, they wanted to love on her so much but she wasn't having it. "I can't like her, Mom." were her words when Ashley was trying to hug her.

It was Ashley's second birthday on Saturday, so we were excited to celebrate with them. And I think Jaylee got a few ideas of things she'd like for her birthday that's coming in two weeks.

We hung around the house because the weather wasn't the greatest. At about 10:50 Montana time, which would be 9:50 our time, I got online to buy the New Kids tickets. I had to wait 10 minutes. I sat there, refreshing the page over and over. I felt a little like the lady from the Mervyn's commercial years ago, that stood outside the door saying, "open, open, open." But it paid off. I have two tickets for row 33. ROW 33!!! We (Amber and I) have a clear view of the stage! Can't wait. Just.cannot.wait.

Josh went on a bike ride for a few hours to give Erica and me time to catch up. I really enjoyed this. It's not really something we've ever done. After having her in my life for 24 years, I think I've only really liked her for 1 of those. Okay, I've liked her...we just haven't ever really gotten along until the last year or so. Really thankful for our friendship.

After the party and all kids had gone to bed, the four of us stayed up to chat for a few hours. It was a really fun time. I loved getting to know my brother-in-law in a new way. I have a new love and respect for him.

Sadly, we had to leave yesterday. We left a little early so we could just take our time on the way home. Josh wanted to take the "scenic route" home and the last time we took the "scenic route" it added about 14 hours to our trip. No stinkin' joke. So, I was a little nervous but then realized I had nothing pressing at home, so what really would it matter if we got home, say next week... :)

The trip was beautiful. We were along a river (not sure of the name) and the rapids were pretty amazing. Scary amazing. Then, we see some rafters. This always freaks me out a bit. I know, I know...it's been almost nine years since my dad drown, but I still have some issues. We stopped to watch the rafters for a while and I just started to have this ridiculous pity party. How is it possible that these people can float these rapids and be just fine and my dad, floating a small river... Well, anyway, I needed to put on my big girl panties, so I did. I'm getting over it. No, really, I am.

The scenic route only added about 90 minutes to our trip. We passed through an extremely small town, so small that seriously if you blink, you'll miss it. The town was called Peck. Husband in all his wisdom, asks...

"So, if you're from a town called Peck, does that make you a Pecker?"

Oh my word, I'm still in shock.

I have tickets. Tickets. To see New Kids on the Block!!!

Oh...and it's snowing in Butte. I'm never coming back here.

Later taters.

Lifelong Road Trip

We leave in a few hours for Montana. While I'm ecstatic to see my sister, it's supposed to snow there. Seriously? It's June for crying out loud! Bugger.

I'm so excited for a road trip. There's really nothing I love more than getting in a rig and just going. Really doesn't matter where I'm headed, I just love to go. Josh feels the same way and I believe Jaylee inherited the love for just going from us.

Josh's love for being on the road was so intense that a few years back he quit a job that everyone deemed safe and smart. He had insurance. He worked 8-5. It was only a half mile from home. We always knew what the paycheck would be.

But he didn't love it. He liked it well enough. But the passion wasn't there. So, he went OTR (over the road) and started driving a semi-truck carrying 105,000 lbs. He didn't know from one day to the next where he was headed. He was gone five days a week. He had no insurance. Often times he was several hundred miles from home. Most times we had no clue what his paycheck would be.

He loved it. Craved it.

Still does.

This was a job where I could have gone with him. We could have been together 24/7. But we weren't in a place in our marriage where I wanted to be with him that often. So, I stuck around here. He was hundreds of miles away but our lives were worlds apart.

The last few months of my pregnancy with Jaylee I road with him. California, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Nevada. It was the best. We loved being together all day, everyday. It was definitely a growing time in our marriage.

But we had quite a few people tell us we couldn't raise a baby on the road. Unfortunately, we listened to them. And Josh went back to that safe job down the road. Don't get me wrong, it's a great job and Josh was thankful to go back, but a light in his eyes faded. The fire in his heart burned out.

He's been working longer hours lately and we really miss spending time together. We've been talking about driving truck again. The lady Josh used to drive for made it very clear that whenever he wanted to come back, all he had to do was call and there'd be a truck for him.

It seems unconventional to raise two girls in a truck. No toilet. No sink. No shower. I'd be making breakfast, lunch and dinner on a camp stove. It would be a little inconvenient at times, I'm sure. But to be together, as a family, all day long...oh man. We've been going over it and the drawbacks that we have are mainly what people would think of us. After 10 years we're slowly learning we have to do what's best for us but it's hard when we're both people pleasers.

Another thing we think about is that the girls wouldn't have a yard to play in besides rest areas here and there. I'm sure there are weeks the girls and I would stay home, they'd get playtime in then and on weekends when we were home. But is playing outside more important than spending time with their daddy everyday? learning from him? talking to him? I just don't think so.

Do I have a point to this post? Not so much. But I'd like to hear what your thoughts are. If you had the chance to spend as much time with your dad/mom as you wanted or have the "traditional" home life, what would you choose?

Anyway...I'm looking forward to the 1000 miles we'll travel this weekend. Hours to talk or sit in silence. New ground to look at. People to meet. Questions asked by Jaylee. Just some good time for our little family.

Why I turned out this way

Some days you may wonder, "why is she so weird?" "didn't her parents love her?" "where'd she get her hottness?" "how is she so witty?"

This, my Frams (friends, family) is why I am, the way I am.

My birthday card from my mother...




She's a hoot, that mother of mine.

Doesn't get any more random

This post is going to be full of bits and pieces of the last 24 hours or so.

Most recent, as in, 10-minutes-ago-recent...I learned to make sure that after leaving the ATM machine, make sure your car door is shut, because if you don't and you leave said ATM machine your car door just may fly open and cause the oncoming driver to stare at you as if you've lost your marbles.

Little does said oncoming driver know, I have a newborn who doesn't sleep, therefore, I've no marbles to lose.

I get to see my sister tomorrow. The sister who up and left and moved to Montana. Who does that?! I haven't seen her or her three babies in over a year. One of those babies I've actually never met, so I'm pretty stoked. It's an 8 hour drive or so, could be interesting with Alison. Heaven help us...

The husband threw a par-tay for me yesterday. I wanted to (but decided not to) ask people to just buy me gas cards. "Please don't go to the trouble to come to my house where I'll have to clean and make food and clean up, please just send gas cards as I can hardly afford to drive to Starbucks." But seeing as how I've turned 28 and I'm way wiser than I was at 27, I decided to clean my house, make some food and clean up after people in hopes that they telepathically got the memo about gas cards.

They didn't.

But I still got money and excellent gifts that I sooo don't deserve seing as how I wasn't in the mood to have a par-tay.

My neighbor children make me insane. There are 6 of them. The youngest 2 love my husband and the fact that he built an amazing white trash swingset. They see cars pulling up and ask what everyone was coming for. Josh tells them it's my birthday. A little while later they show up bearing gifts. They really make it hard for me to not love them. My neighbors are Mormon. The reason I tell you this is because on one of the two cards they gave to me, it said this, "Congraduation, you are a member of the church. Love, Justin" Thankfully the children didn't stick around for the party because everyone got a huge laugh out of the card. It was pretty funny.

Husband went to the store last night to grab some stuff to drink. He came home with two 2-liters. We realized we didn't have any milk and that he'd not gotten regular pepsi, so I had to go back to the store. I go to grab the 2 liter and see the sign that says, "buy 3, get 3 free." They probably mean in one transaction, huh?
Bugger.

New Kids on the Block will be in Tacoma in November. I'm so going. I didn't get to go 20 years ago when I was in love with them. So, I am soooo there this time. Yes, leaving my children again. I'm really proving to be an excellent mother these days. I love Jordan forever!


Okay, I gotsta go for now. I'm sure I'll have more blogging fodder as the day wears on.

The Big 2-8

Yesterday was my birthday.

I usually absolutely love, luh-huv my birthday.

Not so much this year. And I don't know why. It wasn't a particularly good day. I got to go shopping for an outfit, so that part was definitely nice (thank you, husband) but it was raining and my hair was uber-frizzy and my almost three year old was a little O2C2 (out of control child) and my 1 month old just cries. Cries for no reason. Cries all the blasted time.

So, I kinda wasn't in the mood to be having a birthday. I kinda wasn't in the mood to be a mom.

(Am I really admitting this??)

My husband came home from work. Changed his clothes, he looked mighty nice. Then Amber shows up.

She usually calls.

She hadn't called.

So I knew husband and Amber were in cahoots about something.

She was there to watch my children while Josh and I went out. And when I find this out, I'm a little torn.

I have a whiny, snot-nosed, almost three year old. And a brand-spankin' new baby. Should I leave? Can I leave?

Heck yes, I can!

We left. We enjoyed dinner together. And the two and a half hours we were gone were just enough to refresh me and make me feel like I could be a mommy again.

And amazingly, there was no guilt. I thought there would be. But there wasn't. I knew they were with Amber and that she'd only let Jaylee feed Alison a little pizza while we were away.

I love the rain

but it's making my hair frizzy today. Or, frizzier I guess I should say.

And I don't like frizzy hair.

Tomato Paste

Ever just buy a random can of stuff because you were going to use it. A recipe called for it. Then you forgot you bought it. Found yet another recipe calling for it. So, ya bought it again.

About 7 times, maybe?

Well, such is the case for me and Mr. Tomato Paste.

What to do with it? C'mon. Tell me. I have no idea. And I have some random diced tomatoes to go with.

Recipes, people. Recipes. Need 'em.

Thanks so much.

Just Some Pics

Got some film developed today (yes, I still do film) while we were up in Yakima.

Mother's Day-My sister, Megan and her kids, Brenna-3 and Cohen-2

Mother's Day-Meg and Me

And still on Mother's Day-My mother and me.


And a couple of Alison.